Christmas is over and the new year has begun, but the sun is still out and people are still on the beaches enjoying summer. The rest of us have to get back into work, if you are anything like me, coming back can take some re-adjusting. The first week back can be hectic, here are some back to work tips to help you get back into your groove.

It’s your first day back and the first thing you do is take on the mountain of emails in your inbox. Having a full inbox can stress you out and make your first day back a nightmare. However, there are a few things that will take the edge off; firstly hopefully past you set up an automatic reply email letting people know that you’re on holiday. This means that people will know you’ve been away or out of the office and won’t expect a reply till you are back in. When you write your automatic email – give yourself a few extra days. Now I don’t mean take a few extra days of holiday, we mean, say you will be back a few days later than you are – this gives you the time sit down and sift through your to-do pile, prioritising and organising.

Turn off your social media. Don’t think about what you can’t change. you don’t need that kind of negativity in your life! You’re back at work and your friends and family are still living it up on the beach. Turn off your social media and ignore those selfies of drinking beers on the beach, playing beach cricket. If you have a work phone and a personal phone, turn your personal phone off – just till works over!

Ease yourself back into your work life, you will still be feeling the positive benefits from your holiday! And if you dive straight into work it can make you melancholy for those beach days.Take it easy, create a to-do list with your most important tasks on it. Take breaks get out of the office if you can, take a walk at lunch time and breath some fresh air. 

Keep hydrated – this one might seem like a no-brainer but it’s also easy to forget. Water is the best, but if you are anything like me coffee is life, it will also keep you energised and help you tackle your mountain of work.

Lastly, you still have the weekend! Don’t be afraid to take a half day on Friday and go somewhere. Go back to the beach for the weekend, go fishing, go hiking, spend the weekend playing Halo, relax!

Don’t feel flustered when you head back into the office, with these tips getting back into work mode is easy.